Education Programs

Youth FilmHouse Residency

This program will introduce young storytellers to local filmmakers, film industry professionals, and other members of the SFFILM Community to provide strategy and guidance towards possible paths forward in the industry.

SFFILM Education’s Youth FilmHouse Residency, in partnership with SFFILM Makers, is an annual program that begins in the Fall semester for Bay Area students grades 9–12 who identify themselves as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color (BIPOC) and are excited to explore careers in film and filmmaking. Throughout the residency, students will engage with SFFILM Makers residents, SFFILM staff in other departments, film industry professionals, and a dynamic curriculum that balances practical skills like production strategy and technique along with trainings, panels, and lectures that highlight industry knowledge and possible career paths through our artist network. As Youth FilmHouse residents embark on the next stage of their artistic endeavors, we will ensure they are folded into the Makers community. By the end of this residency, each student should have a realistic action plan to immediately begin their film career in keeping with their own artistic voice.

The Youth FilmHouse Residency is free to students. Along with building upon filmmaking skills and meeting a cohort of peers and professional industry contacts, added benefits include a scholarship to Youth Filmmakers Camp, tickets to the SFFILM Festival, and a complimentary SFFILM Membership. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to pre-screen the Youth Works Category submissions for the SFFILM Festival.

For any questions please contact Education Manager Soph Schultz Rocha at sschultzrocha@sffilm.org.

Applications for Fall 2023 Residency Will Be Announced in the Summer

Youth Filmmakers Camp

Photo by Pamela Gentile

Students at the 2022 Youth Filmmaker Camp

SFFILM Education’s Youth Filmmaker Camp is an intensive summer program for teens ages 14–18 to learn from world-class film professionals in a fun, interactive, and collaborative environment. The program is broken up into two experience levels: the Starter Lab, which is for beginner students looking to learn the basics of filmmaking and enhance their storytelling skills; and the Advanced Lab, which is for students who want to build upon their existing skills. All students dive deep into the filmmaking process by learning about screenwriting, storyboarding, production, cinematography, sound, editing, and much more.

Starter Lab

July 10–21, 2023
9 am–4 pm

Advanced Lab

July 24–August 4, 2023
9 am–4 pm

Location
University of San Francisco

Make A Gift

Want to make a positive impact on the next generation of storytellers? You can help SFFILM Education serve students in need by making a fully tax-deductible gift in support of Youth Filmmakers Camp Scholarship Assistance.

MAKE A GIFT

For questions about enrollment or scholarship applications please contact SFFILM Education Manager Soph Schultz Rocha at sschultzrocha@sffilm.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you provide financial assistance for this camp?

We want to make it possible for anyone to attend this camp. Two types of scholarships are available for camp: sliding scale and full, both scholarships include the cost of the camp only. Scholarships will be awarded based on merit and availability of space in both the Starter and Advanced Labs. Please complete the scholarship application linked here.
Do you require proof of vaccination to attend the camp?
Your safety is our top priority. Masks are not required but are highly recommended for camp attendees when indoors. We are monitoring city public health guidelines and recommendations regarding COVID-19 and may update safety protocols as needed leading up to the screening. We require proof of “up-to-date” vaccination and a photo ID before camp starts.
- For patrons 12-17 “up-to-date” means receiving a booster of Pfizer five months after completing the initial series of vaccines.
- For patrons 17 and over “up-to-date” means receiving a booster five months after completing the initial doses of Pfizer or Moderna or two months after receiving the Johnson and Johnson dose.
Photo ID not required for children ages 5 through 12.
Who can I contact with questions about ADA specifications?

For questions regarding Accessibility for this camp, please contact SFFILM’s Education Manager Soph Schultz Rocha at sschultzrocha@sffilm.org.

Screenings for Schools

Screenings for Schools is a year-round series of carefully curated films and presentations at theaters, schools and other venues in the San Francisco Bay Area. Films are selected to support the curriculum of a range of grade levels and subject areas, and all programs are interactive experiences with opportunities for students to engage with filmmakers, industry professionals, and subject area specialists in post-screening discussions and Q&As.

Through this program, SFFILM Education also brings filmmakers directly into the schools to meet and discuss their films with students in smaller classroom settings. These interactive visits allow students to engage with filmmakers from around the world and give the artists the opportunity to gain valuable feedback from younger audiences. All programs are developed in alignment with Common Core and California educational standards for media literacy.

To learn more, email education@SfFilm.org.

SFFILM Education Screening Schools Festival

Family Programming

SFFILM has significantly expanded its year-round offerings for kids and families! These programs—which include screenings of family-friendly films with Q&As, interactive cinema experiences, hands-on workshops, opportunities to engage directly with filmmakers and industry professionals, and more—seek to provide accessible and enlightening film experiences as a resource for families all over the Bay Area. SFFILM’s family programming utilizes the SFFILM Education team’s expertise in developing media literacy and critical thinking skills, illuminating diverse world cultures, and inspiring a lifelong appreciation of cinema. Discussion guides and other teaching tools specific to the films being screened are frequently made available to event attendees to help parents navigate post-screening conversations with their kids. These screenings are a great group activity for the whole family—scheduled primarily on weekends, free of charge whenever possible, and with content appropriate for kids from kindergarten to high school, 5–18. Specific age recommendations are provided with each event.

The Art & Science of Lucasfilm

This program series brings professionals from Lucasfilm together with Bay Area middle and high school students to demonstrate the intersection of art and science in the entertainment industry. Lucasfilm directors, supervisors, artists, and engineers lead students through behind-the-scenes, interactive multimedia presentations and participate in in-depth discussions and Q&As.

Contact

To learn more about The Art & Science of Lucasfilm, please contact our Education department at education@SfFilm.org.